I'm no one.

  10.2 kg.

  The exact numbers blink on the dynamometer.

  I need to do something.

  105°.

  [Normal would be around 140°. We’ll keep stretching to improve that.]

  To be somebody.

  3/5.

  [There's movement against gravity, but not that much against resistance. This means he can bend his arm, but it won't resist too much pressure.]

  Only then will I be healed.

  Only then will I have what I want.

  [There's definitely progress from last week, and all I can say is, patience. It will be better with time and consistency.]

  [Thank you, doctor.]

  I can do it.

  Tires roll on ruined asphalt as the car travels across cramped, gray, and run-down apartments and stores.

  Hinozu looks outside the window, focusing his gaze on the whizzing by of cars.

  His mind wanders.

  6 months until the assessment.

  I can recover in 3 months.

  Then I'll train strength, improving my breathing.

  I already knew how to fight, so I'll—

  His thoughts are cut off.

  [Sorry, what did you say?]

  Jenneah sighs, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

  [I said...]

  [What will you do from now on?]

  She asks. Hinozu stays silent, gears in his head spinning as he tries to come up with a response.

  [You need to start thinking towards the future, Hinozu. I'd suggest you start studying to be an engineer. It's what you wanted, right?]

  I...

  [Yeah, I will.]

  I don't want to.

  [Good.]

  Hinozu tries to distract himself, to no avail.

  His mind spirals towards that same feeling.

  Over and over.

  I'll become an Exterminator.

  No matter what.

  The car veers, driving through the neat road. Gazing to his left, he sees a wide promenade leading to the beach.

  Some people walk around, others ride their bicycles. Some skate, and others head to the beach.

  [Why are we here?]

  Jenneah: [Need to pick Ayumu up.]

  [Since when does he go to the beach?]

  He asks.

  Soon enough, Jenneah stops the car and parks it.

  Hinozu spots him at a nearby calisthenics park.

  Since when?

  He rushes inside, putting a towel over the seat as he sits down.

  Ayumu: [Hi. How did the checkup go?]

  He says, breathless.

  [Good.]

  Ayumu: [Great. I'm glad to see you're improving.]

  [Yeah.]

  [I'm improving too, eh? Assessment's in almost 5 months...]

  He offers an apologetic smile.

  [I promise I'll make it. For you, too.]

  Hinozu closes his eyes.

  Heat courses through his face.

  I'll make it too.

  [...I'm sure you will.]

  They stay silent, each lost in their thoughts.

  The Sun's heat becomes unbearable, looming overhead.

  [Let's go to the beach tomorrow, Hinozu.]

  [What for?]

  [We could use a swim in cold water. I might die from the heat.]

  [I can't. Not yet, at least.]

  [Oh. Sorry.]

  It's a lot worse than you think.

  But you wouldn't understand.

  You're too strong.

  I'm...

  The car brakes.

  [Finally, I was starting to get dizzy...]

  Ayumu steps out of the car before walking to the Center's entrance.

  Turning around, signals at Hinozu.

  [Come on!]

  [Coming.]

  Reaching for the handle, he opens the door.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  By pushing with his shoulder.

  He approaches Ayumu, standing behind.

  He steps inside as the door opens.

  Ayumu plops down on the couch before immediately standing again.

  [Oops, I have to shower first.]

  [See you in a bit, Hinozu.]

  He says, running up the stairs, two at a time.

  Swinging the door open, he throws his shirt on his bed and enters the bathroom.

  A proud grin decorates his face as he sees his reflection.

  It doesn't last long as he realizes he forgot his towel in the car.

  After a bit of pondering, he decides to shrug it off, already stepping into the shower.

  Cold water runs through his skin, refreshing against the summer heat.

  His expression grows pensive.

  Maybe...

  I'm too energetic.

  [I should tone it down.]

  ——

  Wheels scrape against rails as the train moves.

  Hinozu closes his eyes, dizzy at the bright lighting inside.

  Ayumu scans around, finding only empty seats.

  Ayumu: [How's the train this empty today?]

  Kanna: [Don't know. It's full, normally.]

  Hinozu stays silent.

  [The next station is Minowa. The doors will open.]

  He shifts in his seat, grabbing onto his seat to stand up.

  He doesn't.

  [I need to...]

  Ayumu: [Hm?]

  [Never mind.]

  The scraping of wheels irritates him.

  And as Ayumu and Kanna converse, he decides to take no part in the conversation.

  Though he listens intently.

  All the way.

  [The next station is Ebisu. The doors will open.]

  Ayumu's brows shoot in surprise.

  Ayumu: [Ebisu? I knew something was fishy.]

  He wiggles his fingers playfully.

  Ayumu: [I don't have nearly enough money to go there! Plus, I've been rotting in this train for more than 40 minutes...]

  Kanna: [It's not that expensive. Not for me, anyway.]

  Ayumu: [Wait, listen. I don't even have ￥5000 to my name...]

  Stepping outside the train, they walk through the station towards the first exit.

  Kanna: [In what world does a simple ice cream cost ￥5000?]

  They take the escalator towards the surface.

  Warm light spreads through the street, illuminating the sidewalks and a narrow two-way road.

  People walk around calmly, well-dressed and polished.

  Leaving the station, they turn right, striding leisurely.

  Ayumu: [It's really different at night.]

  Kanna smiles, satisfied with Ayumu's reaction.

  Kanna: [What do you think, Hinozu?]

  Hinozu: [I like it. Lively, but still peaceful.]

  Kanna: [Right! Ah, it's left here.]

  The street narrows, with room for just one person on the sidewalk.

  Ayumu walks on the road, uncaring.

  Kanna: [You'll get hit by a car.]

  Ayumu: [Don't see any. Plus, I'm confident I'm strong enough to stop a car now.]

  He laughs, joking.

  Kanna: [You tried your best.]

  Ayumu: [What does that mean...?]

  Kanna shrugs.

  Kanna: [What could that mean?]

  They keep on talking.

  Hinozu stays behind, walking slowly to give them space.

  Any faster tires him, anyway.

  People step around him.

  Clicking their clean dress shoes on the pavement.

  They're leaving him behind.

  In their brisk, purposeful stride.

  An intersection can be seen ahead, with cars driving in both directions on the wide road.

  Kanna: [It's just ahead, but we'll need to cross first.]

  Ayumu: [Wish I was a car to cross directly.]

  Kanna: [Don't ever get a driver's license.]

  They turn, waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

  A few seconds later, Hinozu arrives too.

  Ayumu: [Hinozu? Where were you?]

  He asks.

  [Behind.]

  Hinozu replies.

  [Oh, okay.]

  Conversation dies out.

  Or at least, theirs, as several people talk around.

  With their friends, on the phone, inside the bars.

  Breathless.

  Green lights up.

  Cars stop, their engines humming.

  They walk again, crossing the intersection.

  A bead of sweat rolls down Hinozu's forehead.

  Even at night, it's hot.

  [There it is.]

  To the left, a small ice cream shop around a small strip of pavement.

  Ayumu: [Look, there's a pair of benches to sit at the entrance.]

  Kanna: [Well, the place is tiny inside, so it makes sense.]

  All three step inside.

  The shop is well lit, with a simple counter in front and a few tables to eat.

  [Welcome!]

  Says a young man behind the counter.

  Ayumu: [I wasn't expecting it to be this tiny.]

  Kanna: [Doesn't matter, the ice cream here is delicious.]

  She says, walking over to the counter before scanning through the wide variety of flavors.

  Kanna: [Can I get a small cu—]

  Ayumu: [I want the biggest cup you have, one of matcha, coffee, strawberry, and tomato sherbet.]

  Clerk: [Right away.]

  Kanna stares at Ayumu in disbelief.

  Ayumu: [What? I'm hungry.]

  Kanna: [Unbelievable.]

  After a short while, he grabs the ice cream from the counter, eating eagerly as he leaves the store.

  Clerk: [Anything else?]

  Kanna: [I want a small one, hojicha, coffee, and strawberry.]

  [What do you want, Hinozu?]

  [Ah...]

  His eyes dart around the different flavors.

  [Just... a small one. Vanilla.]

  Clerk: [Are you sure? You can choose three different flavors, anything you like.]

  [I'll just... Have vanilla.]

  Clerk: [Alright.]

  3 minutes.

  Hinozu and Kanna grab their ice cream.

  All three pay for their ice cream and head outside.

  Clerk: [Thank you for coming!]

  Ayumu: [Man... It really was good, but I've already finished mine.]

  Kanna: [If you didn't ravage it earlier, you might've still had some.]

  Ayumu chuckles, falling behind with Hinozu as they walk through the street.

  Ayumu: [Just vanilla? There were more flavors, you know.]

  [I know. It's just that... I didn't know what they were.]

  Ayumu: [Not even strawberry?]

  He asks curiously.

  [Never tasted it before. And besides... I like vanilla.]

  [I see.]

  They explore the area, slithering through narrow streets and looking at different shops and spots.

  Kanna checks her phone.

  Kanna: [It's 9:52 PM already... We should head home now.]

  Ayumu: [Yeah, I'm getting tired too.]

  Hinozu: [Fine by me.]

  Turning around, they return. The sound of conversations intensifies, with people enjoying the night. A light breeze picks up.

  Looking around, Ayumu spots a strange movement in an alleyway.

  He stops.

  Kanna: [What's the matter, Ayumu?]

  [You can head to the station without me, I'm just going to check something out.]

  Kanna: [Don't wander off too far.]

  [Come on, I'm not a kid.]

  Kanna: [Alright, we'll be waiting at the station. See you soon.]

  [Bye, Ayumu.]

  They turn, walking away. Ayumu cranes his neck, looking out for any more movement.

  [Alright... Let's do this.]

  Breathing deeply, he steps cautiously towards the alleyway.

  Pressing his back against the wall, he peeks.

  It's dark.

  The hairs on the nape of his neck stand on edge.

  He clenches his jaw, trying to breathe as silently as he can.

  A red light flickers faintly at the furthest end.

  Adrenaline rushes through his veins.

  Bringing a hand up to cover his mouth, he leans further.

  Nothing.

  The red light sways above, hung on a wall.

  Sighing, Ayumu leans against the wall.

  [It was nothing...]

  He clicks his tongue.

  [I need to find out how strong I am.]

  He shivers as the night grows cold.

  It was summer, though.

  A weird itch settles on his ankle, and he looks down.

  Something was wrapping inside.

  He slips, falling to the ground as he's swung upwards.

  His eyes close as the red light, now shining bright, blinds him momentarily.

  Hanging upside down, blood rushes quickly to his head, making him feel dizzy.

  He punches in the air, swinging his legs frantically.

  A kick hits somewhere, and he falls to the ground with a loud thud.

  Forcing his eyes open, he sees it.

  It wasn't a light.

  A deformed torso made entirely of flesh hangs in the air, with dozens of meaty appendages grabbing onto the walls.

  An antenna sprouts from the creature's side, burning red as it drips a dark, dense liquid.

  Ayumu watches in horror, blood thumping in his head.

  The torso splits in the middle, revealing countless gray teeth the shape of bended nails.

  It doesn't make a sound.

  As if Ayumu were deaf.

  He isn't.

  Rushing as he stands, Ayumu steps back, raising his fists as he takes on a stance.

  He trembles throughout.

  Too high.

  His instincts kick in.

  He takes off his shoe, throwing it at the creature.

  It bulges, a sight too disgusting to handle.

  Taking off his other shoe, he aims at the antenna, throwing as hard as he can.

  The creature falls to the ground, pulsing as it drags itself towards Ayumu.

  His eyes widen with fear.

  And opportunity.

  Kill it.

  His expression turns wild, pupils dilating.

  His heart pounds against his chest, and his limbs feel feather-like.

  He sprints.

  Dodging and ducking at the tentacles lashing at him.

  Stepping on the creature, he twists, falling on it.

  Bad decision.

  His torso splits entirely, zipped up by teeth upon teeth.

  They tear Ayumu's skin.

  Not yet.

  He drives his elbow upwards, hitting maniacally as he punches with his other hand.

  Soon, the creature stops moving.

  It's dead.

  Ayumu strains, hitting his chest lightly as he tries to breathe.

  Two seconds.

  His throat constricts.

  Four seconds.

  He feels dizzy.

  Six seconds.

  His arms give out.

  Seven. Eight. Nine.

  10 seconds.

  He finally inhales, taking in as much air as he can.

  Breathing raggedly, he stands, glancing downwards at the Isothe.

  He stumbles to the ground, kicking away from the nauseating view.

  He calms down.

  Was it always...?

  A faint smile plasters on his face.

  This easy?